Information processing apparatus and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling an information processing apparatus includes a notifying step of, if an error is occurring in a printing apparatus under non-completion of an initial setting process for the printing apparatus when a predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus, executing a notification process for notifying a user of the error occurring in the printing apparatus on the basis of error information, the initial setting process being a process executed in response to the user turning on the printing apparatus for a first time after the printing apparatus is unpacked, and not executing the notification process if an error is occurring in the printing apparatus under completion of the initial setting process for the printing apparatus when the predetermined program is operating on the information processing apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/521,448, which was filed on Jul. 24, 2019 and which claims priorityto Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-145044, which was filed on Aug.1, 2018, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatusand a method for controlling the same.

Description of the Related Art

A printing apparatus is known that executes an initial setting processin response to a user turning on the printing apparatus for the firsttime after the printing apparatus is unpacked. An initial settingprocess may also be executed following a ‘factory reset’ or anotherprocess which reverts the printing apparatus to a configuration as if itis to be used for a first time. Also, an information processingapparatus is known that notifies the user of an error occurring in theprinting apparatus.

Japanese Patent No. 3880243 describes an information processingapparatus that notifies a user of an error that has occurred in aprinting apparatus during a time in which the printing apparatusexecutes an initial setting process.

With the increasing prevalence of information processing apparatusesthat notify users of errors occurring in printing apparatuses, there hasbeen an increasing demand for more appropriate notification methods fornotifying users of errors occurring in printing apparatuses.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides appropriate notification ofan error occurring in a printing apparatus.

An aspect of some embodiments provides a method for controlling aninformation processing apparatus configured to communicate with aprinting apparatus and having a predetermined program. The methodincludes obtaining error information, the error information beinginformation concerning an error occurring in the printing apparatus;executing a notification process for notifying a user of the erroroccurring in the printing apparatus on the basis of the errorinformation, if an error is occurring in the printing apparatus undernon-completion of an initial setting process for the printing apparatuswhen the predetermined program is operating on the informationprocessing apparatus; and not executing the notification process if anerror is occurring in the printing apparatus under completion of theinitial setting process for the printing apparatus when thepredetermined program is operating on the information processingapparatus.

Further features of various embodiments will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware configuration of apparatuses included in acommunication system.

FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate the external appearance of a communicationapparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates processes executed by apparatuses and a user forinitial setting of the communication apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an initial setting process executedby an information processing apparatus.

FIGS. 5A to 5F illustrate screens displayed by the informationprocessing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a state check process executed by theinformation processing apparatus.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate solution screens displayed by the informationprocessing apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a test printing process executed bythe information processing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an initial setting process executedby the information processing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following describes exemplary embodiments in detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the followingembodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims,and that not all the combinations of features described in theembodiments are necessarily required by every embodiment.

First Embodiment

An information processing apparatus and a communication apparatus, whichare included in a communication system according to this embodiment,will be described. In this embodiment, a personal computer (PC) is anon-limiting example of the information processing apparatus. Examplesof the information processing apparatus include a mobile terminal, anotebook PC, a tablet terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), anda digital camera. In this embodiment, furthermore, a printer is anon-limiting example of the communication apparatus. Examples of thecommunication apparatus include apparatuses capable of wirelesslycommunicating with the information processing apparatus. Examples of theprinter include an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam printer, anda monochrome printer. Other examples of the communication apparatusinclude a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a mobile terminal, asmartphone, a notebook PC, a tablet terminal, a PDA, a digital camera, amusic playing device, and a television set. Other examples include amultifunction peripheral having multiple functions such as a copyingfunction, a facsimile (FAX) function, and a printing function.

FIG. 1 illustrates a hardware configuration of apparatuses included in acommunication system according to this embodiment. The communicationsystem according to this embodiment includes a PC A 100, a PC B 130, anda printer 110. The PC A 100 and the PC B 130 are information processingapparatuses, and the printer 110 is a communication apparatus. In thisembodiment, two information processing apparatuses included in thecommunication system are both PCs, by way of example but not limitedthereto. For example, one of the information processing apparatuses maybe a PC, and the other information processing apparatus may be asmartphone.

The PC A 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read-onlymemory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, a display device104, an input interface (I/F) 105, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) I/F 106,and a network I/F 107.

The CPU 101 is a system control unit and is configured to control theoverall operation of the PC A 100.

The ROM 102 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by theCPU 101, a data table, and an embedded operating system (hereinafterreferred to as OS) program. In this embodiment, the control programsstored in the ROM 102 perform software execution control, such asscheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing, under managementof the embedded OS stored in the ROM 102. In this embodiment, the ROM102 further stores an initial setting program 108 for performing initialsetting of the printer 110.

The RAM 103 is constituted by, for example, a static random accessmemory (SRAM), which requires backup power supply. The RAM 103 storesdata by using a data backup primary battery (not illustrated), and isthus capable of storing important data, such as a program controlvariable, without volatilization. Further, the RAM 103 is provided witha memory area to store settings information of the PC A 100, managementdata of the PC A 100, and so on. The RAM 103 is also used as a mainmemory and a work memory for the CPU 101.

The display device 104 is constituted by a light-emitting diode (LED), aliquid crystal display (LCD), or the like, and is configured to displaydata or to notify the user of the state of the PC A 100. The displaydevice 104 may have displayed thereon a soft keyboard including keyssuch as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a set key, a cancel key,and a power key to accept input from the user through the display device104.

The input I/F 105 is an interface for accepting input of data oroperation instructions from the user. The input I/F 105 is constitutedby a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, or the like. The displaydevice 104 and the input I/F 105 may have the same configuration and maybe configured to output screens and accept operations from the user withthe same configuration.

The USB I/F 106 is an interface for communicating with another apparatusvia USB. In this embodiment, the USB I/F 106 is connectable to a USB I/F117 included in the printer 110 via a USB cable 150.

The network I/F 107 is an interface for communicating with anotherapparatus via a network. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)(registered trademark) is used as the wireless communication method ofthe network I/F 107. Alternatively, Bluetooth Classic (registeredtrademark) or the like may be used. Further, instead of a wirelessnetwork, a wired network may be used. In this embodiment, the networkI/F 107 connects to a local area network (LAN) 152 via a networkconnection 151 using a wired network or a wireless network tocommunicate with the PC B 130 or the printer 110. When an informationprocessing apparatus other than the PC B 130 or a communicationapparatus other than the printer 110 is connected to the LAN 152, thenetwork I/F 107 is also capable of communicating with the informationprocessing apparatus or communication apparatus other than the PC B 130or the printer 110.

The PC A 100 may include any one of the USB I/F 106 and the network I/F107 or any other additional interface as an interface for communicatingwith another apparatus. Examples of the other interface includeinterfaces for performing communication in accordance with wirelesscommunication methods such as near field communication (NFC) andBluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark).

The PC B 130 has a configuration similar to that of the PC A 100, andwill not be described. The PC B 130 is also connected to the LAN 152 viaa network connection 154 by using a network I/F.

The printer 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a displaydevice 114, an input I/F 115, a printing unit 116, the USB I/F 117, anda network I/F 118.

The CPU 111 is a system control unit and is configured to control theoverall operation of the printer 110.

The ROM 112 stores fixed data such as control programs executed by theCPU 111, a data table, and an embedded OS program. In this embodiment,the control programs stored in the ROM 112 perform software executioncontrol, such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing,under management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 112.

The RAM 113 is constituted by, for example, an SRAM, which requiresbackup power supply. The RAM 113 stores data by using a data backupprimary battery (not illustrated), and is thus capable of storingimportant data, such as a program control variable, withoutvolatilization. Further, the RAM 113 is provided with a memory area tostore settings information of the printer 110, management data of theprinter 110, and so on. The RAM 113 is also used as a main memory and awork memory for the CPU 111.

The display device 114 is constituted by an LED, an LCD, or the like,and is configured to display data or to notify the user of the state ofthe printer 110. The display device 114 may have displayed thereon asoft keyboard including keys such as numeric input keys, a mode settingkey, a set key, a cancel key, and a power key to accept input from theuser through the display device 114.

The input I/F 115 is an interface for accepting input of data oroperation instructions from the user. The input I/F 115 is constitutedby a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, or the like. The displaydevice 114 and the input I/F 115 may have the same configuration and maybe configured to output screens and accept operations from the user withthe same configuration.

The printing unit 116 forms an image on a recording medium such as asheet of paper in accordance with a print job received from the PC A 100or the PC B 130 via the USB cable 150 or the LAN 152 by using arecording agent such as ink, and outputs a printing result. In thisembodiment, the printing unit 116 executes printing by using the inkjetmethod. Accordingly, the printing unit 116 includes a printhead thatejects ink.

The USB I/F 117 is an interface for communicating with another apparatusvia USB.

The network I/F 118 is an interface for communicating with anotherapparatus via a network. In this embodiment, Wi-Fi (registeredtrademark) is used as the wireless communication method of the networkI/F 118. Alternatively, Bluetooth Classic (registered trademark) or thelike may be used. Further, instead of a wireless network, a wirednetwork may be used. In this embodiment, the network I/F 118 connects tothe LAN 152 via a network connection 153 to communicate with the PC A100 or the PC B 130. When an information processing apparatus other thanthe PC A 100 or the PC B 130 is connected to the LAN 152, the networkI/F 118 is also capable of communicating with the information processingapparatus other than the PC A 100 or the PC B 130.

The printer 110 may include any one of the USB I/F 117 and the networkI/F 118 or any other additional interface as an interface forcommunicating with another apparatus. Examples of the other interfaceinclude interfaces for performing communication in accordance withwireless communication methods such as NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy(registered trademark).

FIG. 2A illustrates the external appearance of the printer 110. Theprinter 110 includes a housing 200, a power button 201, a start button202, a sheet feed tray 203, a sheet discharge tray 204, an access cover205, and an opening 206. The access cover 205 is turnable (movable)between a closed position at which the access cover 205 covers theopening 206 and an open position at which the access cover 205 does notcover the opening 206.

FIG. 2B illustrates the inside of the printer 110, which is visible fromthe opening 206 illustrated in FIG. 2A. The user is able to access theinside of the printer 110 by moving the access cover 205 to the openposition to uncover the opening 206. Inside the printer 110 are inkholders 210, a shaft 211, a sheet feed roller 212, and a securing member221.

The ink holders 210, each configured to hold an ink cartridge, move tothe right and left along the shaft 211 to perform printing. A sheet onwhich printing is to be performed is fed by the sheet feed roller 212.The securing member 221 is a member for securing the ink holders 210 toprevent the ink holders 210 from moving to the right and left duringtransportation of the printer 110.

FIG. 2C illustrates the printer 110, which has just been unpacked from apacking carton. The access cover 205 is taped with packing tape 220 toprevent the access cover 205 from being opened and closed duringtransportation of the printer 110.

Initial Setting of Printer 110

After the printer 110 is removed (unpacked) from the packing carton, itis necessary to perform initial setting of the printer 110 to allow theprinter 110 to perform printing. An initial setting process for theprinter 110 according to this embodiment will now be described.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process (S300 to S308) executed by a user toperform initial setting for the printer 110 and an initial settingprocess (S310 to S317) executed by the printer 110. FIG. 3 alsoillustrates a notification process (S320 to S330) executed by the PC A100 in accordance with the initial setting program 108 during theinitial setting process executed by the printer 110. The processexecuted by the printer 110 is implemented by, for example, the CPU 111actually reading a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 andexecuting the program. The process executed by the PC A 100 isimplemented by, for example, the CPU 101 actually reading the initialsetting program 108 stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executingthe initial setting program 108.

First, when starting setup of the printer 110 (S300), the user removesthe securing member 221 for the ink holders 210 and the packing tape 220from the printer 110 (S301). Then, the user presses the power button 201of the printer 110 to turn on the printer 110 (S302). Then, the useropens the access cover 205 of the printer 110 (S303), and attaches theink cartridge to the printer 110 (S304). Then, the user closes theaccess cover 205 (S305). Thereafter, the user sets a sheet in the sheetfeed tray 203 to prepare for a printhead registration adjustment process(S306), and then presses the start button 202 (S307). Accordingly, theprinter 110 starts printhead registration adjustment. After theprinthead registration adjustment is completed, the user finishes setupof the printer 110 (S308).

When the printer 110 is turned on in S302, the printer 110 starts theinitial setting process (S310). Specifically, when the printer 110 isturned on, the printer 110 determines whether aninitial-setting-in-progress flag is off. If it is determined that theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is not off, the printer 110 starts theinitial setting process. If it is determined that theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is off, the printer 110 does not startthe initial setting process. The initial-setting-in-progress flag is aflag that is turned on in response to turning on of the printer 110 whenthe initial-setting-in-progress flag does not remain off. At thecompletion of the initial setting process for the printer 110, theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is turned off. Accordingly, even if theprinter 110 is turned on under completion of the initial settingprocess, the initial setting process is not executed. That is, theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is also information indicating whetherthe initial setting of the printer 110 is complete. Since the initialsetting process is executed under such control, the initial settingprocess is a process that is executed in response to the user turning onthe printer 110 for the first time after the printer 110 is unpacked, inother words. When the initial setting process is started, the printer110 turns on the initial-setting-in-progress flag, which is stored andmanaged in the RAM 113 or the like (S311).

Then, the printer 110 prepares for connection to the PC A 100 (S312).Specifically, the printer 110 enables various interfaces and preparesfor connection to the PC A 100 via the USB cable 150 or the networkconnection 153.

Then, the printer 110 starts an initialization process. In theinitialization process, the printer 110 executes a process of moving theink holders 210 so that the ink holders 210 are put in place. An erroroccurring in the printer 110 may prevent the printer 110 from completingthe initialization process. To address this issue, when the printer 110starts the initialization process, the printer 110 detects variouserrors occurring in the printer 110. Then, the printer 110 transmitserror information concerning the detected errors to the PC A 100, if theprinter 110 has been connected to the PC A 100, in response to aninformation obtaining request made in accordance with the initialsetting program 108. Upon receipt of the error information, the PC A 100displays a notification screen on the display device 104 to notify theuser of the various errors occurring in the printer 110 in accordancewith the error information. Examples of the errors that can occur in theprinter 110 include a securing member non-removal error and a cover-openerror. The securing member non-removal error is caused when the securingmember 221 for the ink holders 210 is not removed in S301. Thecover-open error is caused when the access cover 205 remains open (theaccess cover 205 is in open position). If the securing membernon-removal error has occurred in the printer 110, the PC A 100 notifiesthe user of the securing member non-removal error by using anotification screen (S321). If the cover-open error has occurred in theprinter 110, the PC A 100 notifies the user of the cover-open error byusing a notification screen (S322). If no error is occurring or an errorthat occurred has been fixed by a user operation, the printer 110completes the initialization process (S313).

After the completion of the initialization process, the printer 110starts a printhead cleaning process. The printhead cleaning processincludes, for example, a process of filling the printhead with ink fromthe ink cartridge attached to the printer 110, and a process of cleaningan ink ejection port in the printhead. An error occurring in the printer110 may prevent the printer 110 from completing the cleaning process. Toaddress this issue, when the printer 110 starts the cleaning process,the printer 110 detects various errors occurring in the printer 110.Then, the printer 110 transmits error information concerning thedetected errors to the PC A 100, if the printer 110 has been connectedto the PC A 100, in response to an information obtaining request made inaccordance with the initial setting program 108. Examples of the errorsthat can occur in the printer 110 include a cover-open error and an inknon-attachment error (no-ink error). The ink non-attachment error iscaused by non-attachment of the ink cartridge to the printer 110. If thecover-open error is occurring in the printer 110, the PC A 100 notifiesthe user of the cover-open error by using a notification screen (S323).If the ink non-attachment error is occurring in the printer 110, the PCA 100 notifies the user of the ink non-attachment error by using anotification screen (S324). It takes several minutes for the printer 110to complete the cleaning process. Thus, the printer 110 transmitsnotification information to the PC A 100 to notify the user that thecleaning process is in progress. Then, the PC A 100 displays anotification screen on the display device 104 to notify the user thatthe printer 110 is executing a cleaning process (S325). If no error isoccurring or an error that occurred has been fixed by a user operation,the printer 110 completes the printhead cleaning process (S314).

An error occurring in the printer 110 may prevent the printer 110 fromcompleting a registration adjustment process for adjusting the positionat which the ink ejected from the printhead is fixed on a sheet. Toaddress this issue, after the completion of the cleaning process, theprinter 110 detects various errors occurring in the printer 110. Then,the printer 110 transmits error information concerning the detectederrors to the PC A 100, if the printer 110 has been connected to the PCA 100, in response to an information obtaining request made inaccordance with the initial setting program 108. Examples of the errorsthat can occur in the printer 110 include a cover-open error, an inknon-attachment error, and a no-paper error. The no-paper error is causedwhen no sheet is set in the sheet feed tray 203. If the cover-open erroris occurring in the printer 110, the PC A 100 notifies the user of thecover-open error by using a notification screen (S326). If the inknon-attachment error is occurring in the printer 110, the PC A 100notifies the user of the ink non-attachment error by using anotification screen (S327).

Thereafter, the printer 110 waits for the user to press the start button202. Then, the printer 110 transmits notification information indicatingthat the printer 110 is in waiting mode to the PC A 100, if the printer110 has been connected to the PC A 100, to notify the user that theprinter 110 is waiting for the start button 202 to be pressed. Then, thePC A 100 displays a notification screen on the display device 104 tonotify the user that the printer 110 is in waiting mode (S328).

When the start button 202 is pressed by the user, the printer 110 startsa printhead registration adjustment process. Even after the start of theregistration adjustment process, the printer 110 detects an error thatoccurs in the printer 110, and transmits error information to the PC A100. For example, if a no-paper error occurs in the printer 110, the PCA 100 notifies the user of the no-paper error by using a notificationscreen (S329). If no error is occurring or an error that occurred hasbeen fixed by a user operation, the printer 110 completes theregistration adjustment process (S315).

When the registration adjustment process is completed, the printer 110turns off the initial-setting-in-progress flag stored and managed in theRAM 113 or the like (S316), and then the initial setting process ends(S317). Accordingly, the printer 110 is allowed to execute printing inaccordance with a print job received from another apparatus or a printjob directly input via the display device 114.

Initial Setting of PC A 100

To use the printer 110, it is necessary to perform initial setting ofthe PC A 100 to allow the PC A 100 to instruct the printer 110 toperform printing. An initial setting process for the PC A 100 accordingto this embodiment will now be described.

The initial setting of the PC A 100 is commonly executed undercompletion of the initial setting of the printer 110 described above.Specifically, for example, an instruction manual provided by the vendorof the printer 110 recommends a user to execute the initial setting ofthe PC A 100 after the initial setting of the printer 110 has beencompleted. However, some users may start the initial setting of the PC A100 under non-completion of the initial setting of the printer 110.

The non-completion of the initial setting of the printer 110 indicates astate where the printer 110 is executing the initial setting process. Inthis state, the errors described with reference to FIG. 3 may occur inthe printer 110. Thus, if the initial setting of the PC A 100 is startedunder non-completion of the initial setting of the printer 110, errorinformation may be transmitted from the printer 110 to the PC A 100.

The transmission of error information from the printer 110 to the PC A100 during the initial setting of the PC A 100 is not limited to asituation where the initial setting of the PC A 100 is started undernon-completion of the initial setting of the printer 110. For example,even in a situation where the initial setting of the PC A 100 is startedunder completion of the initial setting of the printer 110, errorinformation may be transmitted from the printer 110 to the PC A 100.Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the printer 110 for whichinitial setting has been completed is instructed by the PC B 130 toperform printing, which causes an error in the printer 110. In thissituation, if the initial setting of the PC A 100 is started, errorinformation may be transmitted from the printer 110 to the PC A 100.

In a situation where the initial setting of the PC A 100 is startedunder non-completion of the initial setting of the printer 110, it isdesirable that the user of the PC A 100 fix the error caused in theprinter 110 before completion of the initial setting of the printer 110.That is, in a situation where the initial setting of the PC A 100 isstarted under non-completion of the initial setting of the printer 110,it is desirable for the PC A 100 to notify the user of the erroroccurring in the printer 110.

In contrast, in a situation where the initial setting of the PC A 100 isstarted under completion of the initial setting of the printer 110, theuser of the PC A 100 does not necessarily need to fix the error causedin the printer 110. That is, in a situation where the initial setting ofthe PC A 100 is started under completion of the initial setting of theprinter 110, the PC A 100 does not necessarily need to notify the userof the error occurring in the printer 110. This is because undercompletion of the initial setting of the printer 110, the user of the PCA 100 is likely to give precedence to the completion of the initialsetting of the PC A 100 over the fixing of the error. In thisembodiment, furthermore, the initial setting process for the PC A 100 isexecuted by using the initial setting program 108, and the initialsetting program 108 has no function of instructing the printer 110 toperform normal printing other than test printing described below. Thetest printing is printing of an image determined in advance for testprinting (an image not selected as desired by the user), whereas thenormal printing other than test printing is printing of an image basedon image data selected as desired by the user. That is, the initialsetting program 108 is a program for completing the initial setting ofthe printer 110 and the initial setting of the PC A 100, but is not aprogram for instructing the printer 110 to perform normal printing.Thus, the occurrence of an error in the printer 110 is not important forthe user of the PC A 100 that is executing the initial setting program108, so long as at least the initial setting of the printer 110 has beencompleted, and the user does not necessarily need to promptly fix theerror. In addition, the initial setting program 108, which is operatingon the PC A 100, provides only a test printing instruction (does notprovide a normal printing instruction), and thus does not instruct theprinter 110 to perform printing before the timing at which the stateinformation of the printer 110 is obtained. Thus, an error caused undercompletion of the initial setting of the printer 110 is less likely tobe an error caused by the PC A 100. That is, an error caused undercompletion of the initial setting of the printer 110 is more likely tobe an error caused by the PC B 130 instructing the printer 110 toperform normal printing. If an error occurring in the printer 110 is anerror caused by the PC B 130, the user of the PC B 130 is likely to fixthe error caused in the printer 110. Thus, the PC A 100 does not need toprovide notification.

Accordingly, this embodiment describes a scenario where whether the PC A100 notifies the user of an error occurring in the printer 110 iscontrolled in accordance with whether the initial setting of the printer110 is completed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an initial setting process executedby the PC A 100 in accordance with the initial setting program 108. Theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is implemented by, for example,the CPU 101 reading the initial setting program 108 stored in the ROM102 into the RAM 103 and executing the initial setting program 108. Theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is started when the initialsetting program 108 is started on the PC A 100.

First, in S401, the CPU 101 connects the printer 110 and the PC A 100.Specifically, the CPU 101 searches for the printer 110 to which the PC A100 is connected via USB or a LAN. Alternatively, the CPU 101 searchesfor a Wi-Fi beacon emitted from the printer 110 and finds the printer110. Then, the CPU 101 connects the found printer 110 and the PC A 100.The PC A 100 may be connected to the printer 110 via USB or Wi-Fi.Thereafter, the CPU 101 notifies the user that the printer 110 is found,and displays a confirmation screen 500 (FIG. 5A) on the display device104 to ask whether to perform setting so that the found printer 110 canbe used from the PC A 100. When a Next button 501 on the confirmationscreen 500 is pressed, the CPU 101 connects the printer 110 and the PC A100, and then proceeds to S402.

In S402, the CPU 101 installs a printer driver corresponding to theprinter 110. The CPU 101 may obtain the printer driver from the printer110 or from the Internet and install the printer driver. Duringinstallation of the printer driver, the CPU 101 displays an installationscreen 510 (FIG. 5B) on the display device 104. The installation screen510 includes a progress bar 511 indicating progress in the installationprocess. When the installation is completed, the CPU 101 proceeds toS403. At this time, for example, a program such as on a status monitorfor notifying the user of the status of the printer 110 or on utilityfor maintenance of the printer 110 may also be installed in the PC A 100together with the printer driver.

In S403, the CPU 101 executes a printer state check process to check thestate of the printer 110. The details of this process will be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 6. When the printer state check process iscompleted, the CPU 101 proceeds to S404.

In S404, the CPU 101 executes a test printing process to instruct theprinter 110 to perform test printing to check whether the printer 110can correctly perform printing in accordance with an instruction fromthe PC A 100. In this embodiment, in the test printing process, first,the CPU 101 displays an instruction screen 530 (FIG. 5D) on the displaydevice 104 to accept an instruction for executing test printing. Uponreceipt of the pressing of a Next button 532 by the user, the CPU 101ends the process based on the initial setting program 108 withoutinstructing the printer 110 to perform test printing. On the other hand,upon receipt of the pressing of an Execute button 531, the CPU 101instructs the printer 110 to perform test printing via the connectionestablished in S401. If the processing of S401 and S402 is correctlycompleted, a test printing instruction is correctly transmitted to theprinter 110. In response to the test printing instruction, the printer110 executes printing based on print data determined in advance for testprinting. The completion of the test printing allows the user torecognize a correct connection between the PC A 100 and the printer 110.At this time, for example, if an error is occurring in the printer 110,test printing is not executed, and thus the printer 110 transmits errorinformation to the PC A 100. The CPU 101 may provide a notificationbased on the error information in accordance with the initial settingprogram 108 or by using the status monitor or the like installedtogether with the printer driver in S402. Upon receipt of thenotification of the completion of the test printing from the printer110, the CPU 101 displays a completion screen 540 (FIG. 5E) on thedisplay device 104. That is, the CPU 101 notifies the user that thesetup of the printer 110 is completed and that the printer 110 can becontrolled by the PC A 100. When a Finish button 541 is pressed on thecompletion screen 540, the CPU 101 ends the process based on the initialsetting program 108.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a state check process executed by thePC A 100 in accordance with the initial setting program 108. The processillustrated in this flowchart is implemented by, for example, the CPU101 reading the initial setting program 108 stored in the ROM 102 intothe RAM 103 and executing the initial setting program 108. That is, theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is executed, with the initialsetting program 108 operating on the PC A 100. The process illustratedin this flowchart corresponds to the processing of S403.

First, in S601, the CPU 101 obtains, from the printer 110, stateinformation of the printer 110. The state information of the printer 110may include error information concerning an error occurring in theprinter 110, notification information for notifying the user of aprocess being executed by the printer 110, information concerning thestate of the initial-setting-in-progress flag, and so on. The obtainedstate information may include the error information and the notificationinformation described with reference to FIG. 3. If the initial settingof the printer 110 has been completed, the obtained state informationincludes information indicating that the initial-setting-in-progressflag is off. If the initial setting of the printer 110 has not beencompleted, the obtained state information includes informationindicating that the initial-setting-in-progress flag is on.

Then, in S602, the CPU 101 determines whether the received stateinformation includes at least one of error information and notificationinformation. If YES is determined, the CPU 101 proceeds to S603. If NOis determined, the CPU 101 ends the process in this flowchart, and thenproceeds to S404.

In S603, the CPU 101 determines whether the initial setting of theprinter 110 has been completed. Specifically, if theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is off (after the flag-off processingof S316), the CPU 101 determines that the initial setting of the printer110 has been completed. On the other hand, if theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is on (during processing from theflag-on processing of S311 to the flag-off processing of S316), the CPU101 determines that the initial setting of the printer 110 has not beencompleted. If YES is determined, the CPU 101 ends the process in thisflowchart, and then proceeds to S404. That is, in this embodiment, afterthe completion of the initial setting of the printer 110, even if anerror is occurring in the printer 110, the CPU 101 does not notify theuser of the error. If NO is determined, the CPU 101 proceeds to S604.The determination of S603 may be executed before the determination ofS602. In this case, if it is determined in S603 that the initial settingof the printer 110 has been completed, the processing of S604 may beexecuted without execution of the processing of S602.

In S604, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen 520 (FIG. 5C) on thedisplay device 104 on the basis of the information received in S601 tonotify the user of an error occurring in the printer 110 or a processbeing executed by the printer 110. The notification screen 520 includesa Solution button 521, a Skip button 522, and a Next button 523. TheSolution button 521 is a button for presenting a solution to fix theerror occurring in the printer 110. The Skip button 522 is a button forallowing the user to proceed to the next process without fixing theerror occurring in the printer 110. The Next button 523 is a button forallowing the user to proceed to the next process after fixing the erroroccurring in the printer 110. The “support No.” on the notificationscreen 520 differs depending on the type of the error occurring in theprinter 110 or the type of the process being executed by the printer110. The user may not be notified of the type of an error occurring inthe printer 110, but may be simply notified of the occurrence of anerror in the printer 110.

In S605, the CPU 101 determines whether any button has been pressed onthe notification screen 520. If YES is determined, the CPU 101 proceedsto S606. If NO is determined, the CPU 101 executes the processing ofS605 again.

In S606, the CPU 101 determines the type of the button pressed on thenotification screen 520. If the button pressed on the notificationscreen 520 is the Solution button 521, the CPU 101 proceeds to S607. Ifthe button pressed on the notification screen 520 is the Skip button522, the CPU 101 ends the process in this flowchart, and then proceedsto S404. If the button pressed on the notification screen 520 is theNext button 523, the CPU 101 returns to S601 to check whether the errorcaused in the printer 110 has been fixed or whether the process executedby the printer 110 has been completed.

In S607, the CPU 101 starts a web browser and displays a solution screen700 (FIG. 7A) on the display device 104 by using the web browser. Thesolution screen 700 is web content describing a solution to fix theerror occurring in the printer 110. The solution screen 700 illustratedin FIG. 7A is a screen that provides a solution to fix a cover-openerror occurring in the printer 110. As a solution to fix the cover-openerror, an image 701 for prompting the user to close the cover isdisplayed on the solution screen 700. The content of the solution screen700 displayed in this case differs depending on the error occurring inthe printer 110. This is because the uniform resource locator (URL)input on the web browser differs in accordance with the error occurringin the printer 110. In S607, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, a solutionscreen 710 may be displayed to present a more detailed solutionprocedure to the user by using video content 711. Alternatively, the CPU101 may display a solution screen on a screen displayed using theinitial setting program 108, instead of on a screen displayed using theweb browser. When the web browser that presents the solution screen isclosed, the screen displayed on the display device 104 is returned tothe notification screen 520. Accordingly, the CPU 101 returns to S605,and waits for a user operation on the notification screen 520.

In this embodiment, therefore, when the initial setting of the PC A 100is executed under non-completion of the initial setting of the printer110 (during the initial setting executed by the printer 110), the PC A100 notifies the user of the error caused in the printer 110. Incontrast, when the initial setting of the PC A 100 is executed undercompletion of the initial setting of the printer 110, the PC A 100 doesnot notify the user of the error caused in the printer 110. This allowsthe user of the PC A 100 to be notified of necessary information.Further, this can reduce instances of the user of the PC A 100 beingnotified of less necessary information; this improves the user'sexperience and efficiency of interacting with the PC A 100 whenoperating the underlying printing apparatus.

It is assumed that, although an error is occurring in the printer 110under completion of the initial setting of the printer 110, through aprocess according to this embodiment, the PC A 100 does not notify theuser of the error during the initial setting executed by the PC A 100.Then, it is assumed that the user of the PC A 100 executes normalprinting by using the printer 110 immediately after the completion ofthe initial setting of the PC A 100. In this case, due to the stilloccurring error in the printer 110, the user of the PC A 100 is unableto execute normal printing by using the printer 110. However, a programfor executing normal printing (e.g., the program installed in S402) hasa normal error notification function. The normal error notificationfunction is a function of executing a notification process if an erroris occurring in the printer 110, regardless of whether the initialsetting of the PC A 100 has been completed. Accordingly, in thesituation described above, the user is not notified of the error inaccordance with the initial setting program 108, but is notified of theerror in accordance with the program for executing normal printingnotification. Thus, the user is able to recognize the error occurring inthe printer 110.

In this embodiment, furthermore, the initial-setting-in-progress flag ispresent separately from various types of error information. This enablesthe printer 110 to use various types of error information both duringinitial setting and during operations other than the initial setting.

Second Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the PC A 100 transmits a testprinting instruction to the printer 110 without checking the state ofthe printer 110 in the test printing process. This embodiment describesa scenario where a test printing instruction is transmitted to theprinter 110 after the state of the printer 110 is checked in the testprinting process.

A communication system according to this embodiment is similar to thecommunication system according to the first embodiment, unless otherwisestated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a test printing process executed bythe PC A 100 in accordance with the initial setting program 108. Theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is implemented by, for example,the CPU 101 loading the initial setting program 108 stored in the ROM102 into the RAM 103 and executing the initial setting program 108.Further, the process illustrated in this flowchart is executed insteadof the processing of S404 according to the first embodiment.

First, in S801, the CPU 101 displays the instruction screen 530 (FIG.5D) on the display device 104 to accept an instruction for executingtest printing.

Then, in S802, the CPU 101 determines whether any button has beenpressed on the instruction screen 530. If YES is determined, the CPU 101proceeds to S803. If NO is determined, the CPU 101 executes theprocessing of S802 again.

Then, in S803, the CPU 101 determines the type of the button pressed onthe instruction screen 530. If the button pressed on the instructionscreen 530 is the Execute button 531, the CPU 101 proceeds to S804. Ifthe button pressed on the instruction screen 530 is the Next button 532,the CPU 101 ends the process in this flowchart.

Then, in S804, the CPU 101 obtains, from the printer 110, stateinformation of the printer 110.

Then, in S805, the CPU 101 determines whether the received stateinformation includes at least one of error information and notificationinformation. If YES is determined, the CPU 101 proceeds to S806. If NOis determined, the CPU 101 proceeds to S810.

In S806, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen 550 (FIG. 5F) on theinstruction screen 530 on the basis of the information received in S804to notify the user of an error occurring in the printer 110 or a processbeing executed by the printer 110. The notification screen 550 includesa Solution button 551 for displaying a solution to fix the erroroccurring in the printer 110, and an OK button 552. Unlike thenotification screen 520, the notification screen 550 includes no Skipbutton. This is because the printer 110 is unable to execute testprinting unless the error occurring in the printer 110 is fixed. Thenotification screen 550 may notify the user of the type of the erroroccurring in the printer 110 or simply notify the user of the occurrenceof an error in the printer 110.

In S807, the CPU 101 determines whether any button has been pressed onthe notification screen 550. If YES is determined, the CPU 101 proceedsto S808. If NO is determined, the CPU 101 executes the processing ofS807 again.

In S808, the CPU 101 determines the type of the button pressed on thenotification screen 550. If the button pressed on the notificationscreen 550 is the Solution button 551, the CPU 101 proceeds to S809. Ifthe button pressed on the notification screen 550 is the OK button 552,the CPU 101 returns to S803 to check whether the error caused in theprinter 110 has been fixed or whether the process executed by theprinter 110 has been completed.

In S809, the CPU 101 starts a web browser and displays the solutionscreen 700 (FIG. 7A) on the display device 104 by using the web browser.The solution screen 700 is web content describing a solution to fix theerror occurring in the printer 110. When the web browser that presentsthe solution screen is closed, the screen displayed on the displaydevice 104 is returned to the notification screen 550. Accordingly, theCPU 101 returns to S807, and waits for a user operation on thenotification screen 550.

If no error is occurring in the printer 110 or no process is beingexecuted by the printer 110, then, in S810, the CPU 101 instructs theprinter 110 to perform test printing. If processing such as processingof S401 and S402 is correctly completed, a test printing instruction iscorrectly transmitted to the printer 110, and the printer 110 executestest printing. Upon receipt of a notification of completion of the testprinting by the printer 110 from the printer 110, the CPU 101 proceedsto S811.

In S811, the CPU 101 displays the completion screen 540 (FIG. 5E) on thedisplay device 104 to notify the user that the setup of the printer 110is completed. When the Finish button 541 is pressed on the completionscreen 540, the CPU 101 ends the process based on the initial settingprogram 108.

In this embodiment, accordingly, a test printing process is executedafter the state of the printer 110 is checked. Thus, if an error isoccurring in the printer 110, the user can be notified of the error.This can prevent the printer 110 from failing to complete test printingdue to the occurrence of an error.

In this embodiment, furthermore, in the test printing process, unlikethe state check process, the notification of an error caused in theprinter 110 is provided, regardless of whether the initial setting ofthe printer 110 has been completed (whether theinitial-setting-in-progress flag is off). This can further prevent theprinter 110 from failing to complete test printing due to the occurrenceof an error.

In the foregoing description, the PC A 100 provides a test printinginstruction in the initial setting process executed by the PC A 100.However, this is not limiting. For example, if an apparatus that can beused from the PC A 100 through an initial setting process has a scannerfunction, the PC A 100 may provide a test scan instruction instead of atest printing instruction. If the Skip button 522 has been selected onthe notification screen 520 displayed in S403, a test scan process forproviding a test scan instruction may not be executed.

Third Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, a test printing process is executedeven when the Skip button 522 is selected on the notification screen520. When the Skip button 522 is selected, due to an error occurring inthe printer 110, the printer 110 is likely to fail to complete testprinting even if a test printing instruction is provided in a testprinting process. Accordingly, this embodiment describes switchingbetween execution and non-execution of a test printing process inaccordance with whether the Skip button 522 is selected on thenotification screen 520.

A communication system according to this embodiment is similar to thecommunication system according to the first embodiment, unless otherwisestated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an initial setting process executedby the PC A 100 in accordance with the initial setting program 108. Theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is implemented by, for example,the CPU 101 reading the initial setting program 108 stored in the ROM102 into the RAM 103 and executing the initial setting program 108. Theprocess illustrated in this flowchart is started when the initialsetting program 108 is started on the PC A 100. The process illustratedin this flowchart is executed instead of the process illustrated in theflowchart in FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment.

The processing of S901 to S903 is similar to the processing of S401 toS403, and thus will not be described.

In S904, the CPU 101 determines whether the Skip button 522 is selectedon the notification screen 520 displayed in S903. If YES is determined,the CPU 101 ends the process in this flowchart, and then ends theprocess based on the initial setting program 108. That is, if YES isdetermined, the CPU 101 does not execute a test printing process. On theother hand, if NO is determined, the CPU 101 proceeds to S905.

In S905, the CPU 101 executes a test printing process. The test printingprocess executed here may be that described in the first embodiment orthat described in the second embodiment.

A user who selects the Skip button 522 on the notification screen 520typically desires to promptly complete the initial setting. To meet thedesire of the user, in this embodiment, when the Skip button 522 isselected on the notification screen 520, the initial setting can becompleted without execution of a test printing process. In addition, ina situation where the printer 110 is likely to fail to complete testprinting, a test printing instruction can be prevented from beingprovided to the printer 110.

Other Embodiments

The embodiments described above describe a scenario where flaginformation (initial-setting-in-progress flag), which is used todetermine whether the printer 110 is in initial setting, is transmittedto the PC A 100 as information different from error information ornotification information. However, this is not limiting. For example,the error information or notification information may includeinformation for determining whether the printer 110 is in initialsetting. Specifically, for example, the error information ornotification information may be implemented as bit information, andwhether the printer 110 is in initial setting may be determined bydetermining whether an unused bit in the error information ornotification information is on or off. Alternatively, the errorinformation or notification information may be coupled with informationindicating whether the printer 110 is in initial setting.

The embodiments described above can also be implemented by the followingprocess. A program that implements one or more functions in theembodiments described above is supplied to a system or an apparatus viaa network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computerin the system or apparatus execute the program. The embodimentsdescribed above can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) that implements one ormore functions.

Some embodiment(s) can also be realized by a computer of a system orapparatus that reads out and executes computer-executable instructions(e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which mayalso be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits(e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performingthe functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer-executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or morecircuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g.,central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and mayinclude a network of separate computers or separate processors to readout and execute the computer-executable instructions. Thecomputer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, forexample, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium mayinclude, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory(RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computingsystems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatiledisc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memorycard, and the like.

While the present disclosure has described exemplary embodiments, it isto be understood that some embodiments are not limited to the disclosedexemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling an informationprocessing apparatus configured to communicate with a printing apparatuswhich is configured to perform printing by a printing unit, and toexecute a predetermined program, the method comprising: obtainingpredetermined information based on completion or non-completion of aninitial setting process of the printing apparatus, accepting apredetermined operation from a user via a screen displayed by thepredetermined program when the predetermined program is operating on theinformation processing apparatus; and in a case where the printingapparatus is in a predetermined state and the predetermined informationbased on the completion of the initial setting process is obtained, notexecuting, at least based on the acceptance of the predeterminedoperation, a notification process relating to the predetermined state inthe printing apparatus, even when the predetermined program is operatingon the information processing apparatus, and executing, based on theacceptance of the predetermined operation, a process for installing aprinter driver in the information processing apparatus.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the process for installing is a processfor installing at least one program that is different from thepredetermined program and includes the printer driver corresponding tothe printing apparatus, and wherein the another program has a functionof executing a process for notifying the user of an error occurring inthe printing apparatus, regardless of whether the initial settingprocess has been completed for the printing apparatus.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting a printinginstruction to the printing apparatus to perform printing.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, further comprising: accepting from the user apredetermined input for transmitting the printing instruction to theprinting apparatus after the execution of the process for installing,wherein the printing instruction is transmitted to the printingapparatus based on acceptance of the predetermined input.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, further comprising: in the case where thepredetermined input is accepted and the printing apparatus is in thepredetermined state under the state that the initial setting process iscompleted, executing the notification process.
 6. The method accordingto claim 3, further comprising: after the predetermined input isaccepted and the notification process is executed, accepting from theuser a specific input indicating that the user does not fix thepredetermined state in the printing apparatus; and in a case where thespecific input is accepted, performing control so as not to transmit theprinting instruction to the printing apparatus.
 7. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein the printing instruction causes the printingapparatus to perform test printing based on predetermined print data. 8.The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined program isconfigured not to instruct the printing apparatus to perform printingother than the test printing.
 9. The method according to claim 8,wherein the printing other than the test printing is printing of animage based on image data selected by the user.
 10. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the initial setting process includes a process formoving the printing unit.
 11. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe initial setting process includes at least one of a process forinstructing filling the printing unit with an ink, a registrationadjustment process for adjusting a position of an ink ejected from theprinting unit, and a process of cleaning the printing unit.
 12. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the initial setting process isexecuted based on turning on of the printing apparatus in a state thatpredetermined flag information managed by the printing apparatusindicates that the initial setting process for the printing apparatus isnot completed.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein thenotification process comprises at least one of: a process for displayinga screen, on the information processing apparatus, to notify the user ofthe printing apparatus being in the predetermined state; and a processfor notifying, on the information processing apparatus, the user of thenon-completion of the initial setting process.
 14. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the notification process comprises a process fornotifying the user of a method for fixing the predetermined state in theprinting apparatus.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein theprocess for notifying the user of the method for fixing thepredetermined state in the printing apparatus comprises a process fordisplaying a button for displaying a screen by using a browser to notifythe user of the method for fixing the predetermined state in theprinting apparatus.
 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein thepredetermined state in the printing apparatus under completion of theinitial setting process for the printing apparatus is a state caused byanother apparatus different from the information processing apparatusinstructing the printing apparatus to perform printing.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the state that the initial setting processfor the printing apparatus is not completed is a state where theprinting apparatus is executing the initial setting process.
 18. Aninformation processing apparatus for communicating with a printingapparatus which is configured to perform printing by a printing unit,the information processing apparatus executing a predetermined program,comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to function as: an obtaining unit configured to obtainpredetermined information based on completion or non-completion of aninitial setting process of the printing apparatus, an accepting unitconfigured to accept a predetermined operation from a user via a screendisplayed by the predetermined program when the predetermined program isoperating on the information processing apparatus; and an executing unitconfigured to, in a case where the printing apparatus is in apredetermined state and the predetermined information based on thecompletion of the initial setting process is obtained, not execute, atleast based on the acceptance of the predetermined operation, anotification process relating to the predetermined state in the printingapparatus, even when the predetermined program is operating on theinformation processing apparatus, and execute, based on the acceptanceof the predetermined operation, a process for installing a printerdriver in the information processing apparatus.
 19. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by aninformation processing apparatus, cause the information processingapparatus to perform operations comprising: obtaining predeterminedinformation based on completion or non-completion of an initial settingprocess of the printing apparatus, accepting a predetermined operationfrom a user via a screen displayed by a predetermined program when thepredetermined program is operating on the information processingapparatus; and in a case where the printing apparatus is in apredetermined state and the predetermined information based on thecompletion of the initial setting process is obtained, not executing, atleast based on the acceptance of the predetermined operation, anotification process relating to the predetermined state in the printingapparatus, even when the predetermined program is operating on theinformation processing apparatus, and executing, based on the acceptanceof the predetermined operation, a process for installing a printerdriver in the information processing apparatus.
 20. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising: in a case where the printing apparatusis not in the predetermined state and the predetermined informationbased on the non-completion of the initial setting process is obtained,not executing, at least based on the acceptance of the predeterminedoperation, the notification process and executing, based on theacceptance of the predetermined operation, the process for installing.21. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: in the casewhere the printing apparatus is in the predetermined state and thepredetermined information based on the non-completion of the initialsetting process is obtained, executing, based on the acceptance of thepredetermined operation, a display process for displaying a screenconcerning an adjustment process for adjusting a position of an inkejected from the printing unit executed in the printing apparatus. 22.The method according to claim 21, wherein, in the case where theprinting apparatus is in the predetermined state and the predeterminedinformation based on the completion of the initial setting process isobtained, the display process is not executed at least based on theacceptance of the predetermined operation, even when the program isoperating on the information processing apparatus.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 21, further comprising: in a case where the printingapparatus is not in the predetermined state and the predeterminedinformation based on the non-completion of the initial setting processis obtained, executing the display process based on the acceptance ofthe predetermined operation.
 24. The method according to claim 1,wherein the predetermined state is at least one of a state where an inkcartridge is not attached to the printing apparatus, a state where asheet is not set in the printing apparatus, or a state where a cover ofthe printing apparatus is not closed.
 25. The method according to claim1, wherein the predetermined program is different from an operatingsystem.
 26. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notificationprocess is a process for notifying that the printing apparatus is in thepredetermined state.
 27. The method according to claim 1, wherein thenotification process varies depending on a type of the predeterminedstate.
 28. The method according to claim 1, wherein, the notificationprocess is a process for prompting the user to solve the predeterminedstate in the printing apparatus.
 29. The method according to claim 1,wherein in a case where the printing apparatus is in the predeterminedstate and the predetermined information based on the non-completion ofthe initial setting process is obtained, executing, based on theacceptance of the predetermined operation, the notification process. 30.The method according to claim 29, further comprising: obtaining stateinformation, the state information being information concerning a stateof the printing apparatus, wherein the notification process is executedbased on the obtained state information.
 31. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the process for installing the printer driver isexecuted in a case where the obtained predetermined information is basedon the non-completion of the initial setting process and the printingapparatus is in the predetermined state.